Katie May dead: Playboy model and ‘Queen of Snapchat’ dies aged 34
May forged a successful career in modelling and had over one million followers on Instagram
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Katie May, a Playboy model and social media influencer, has died after suffering a catastrophic stroke on Monday. She was 34-years-old.
May was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as the youngest of four children and moved to Los Angeles to forge a modelling career. She was reportedly hospitalised earlier this week after experiencing neck pain which doctors diagnosed as a blocked carotid artery.
A shrewd businesswoman who began working in public relations, May launched a successful modelling career after the PR company she was working for collapsed and she was living as a single mother in LA.
“We were just barely getting by,” she told The Huffington Post in January. “I worked hard to have a career that I was proud of and when the economy collapsed, our PR company closed.
“My life has been an incredible journey thus far with a lot of curve balls and lessons along the way. I would have to say the most valuable would have to be as a single mother.”
May modelled for lingerie collections and had a strong social media following, declaring herself the “official Queen of Snapchat” and amassing more than one million followers on Instagram. Her death was confirmed by her family on Thursday.
“Known as 'MsKatieMay' on the Internet and the 'Queen of Snapchat,' she leaves behind millions of fans and followers, and a heartbroken family. We respectfully ask for privacy in this difficult time,” May’s family told E! News in a statement.
A Go Fund Me page has been launched to raise money for May’s seven-year-old daughter.
A tribute on the page reads: “Anyone who was lucky enough to know Katie May was truly blessed by her incredible heart, mind and soul. She was an inspiration and a guiding light to so many people in this world. Please help us by donating money to support her daughter. We want to raise as much money for her daughter's living trust as possible to ensure she will always be taken care of. Her daughter was Katie's whole life, so please help Katie and her family by donating money.”
Almost $10,000 has been donated to the page so far.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments